Viability and function of human sperm in electrolyte-free cold preservation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the viability and function of human sperm in electrolyte-free cold preservation.


METHODS
Prospective comparative study.


METHODS
Andrology laboratory of our hospital.


METHODS
Ten semen samples obtained from patients attending our infertility clinic.


METHODS
Ejaculated sperm were washed using the electrolyte-free Percoll gradient and were then preserved in 0.33 M glucose solution, 0.16 M NaCl solution, 0.16 M KCl solution at 4 degrees C for 4 weeks. As a control, TEST (TES and Tris) yolk buffer (TYB) was added to the ejaculated semen and preserved at 4 degrees C.


METHODS
Sperm tail morphology, motility, viability (eosin-Y stain), and the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were analyzed.


RESULTS
The number of sperm with normal tail form and the motility of sperm preserved in glucose solution (electrolyte-free cold preservation) were significantly (P < 0.01) higher for 4 weeks than those of sperm preserved in the other three media. The sperm viability in glucose solution was 75.5%, 65.4%, and 51.3%, after 1, 2, and 4 weeks, respectively. The ATP concentration after 1, 2, and 4 weeks remained 64.2%, 53.0%, and 4.3% of the prestorage value, respectively, in the sperm stored in glucose solution.


CONCLUSIONS
The morphology, motility, viability, and ATP concentration of sperm in electrolyte-free cold preservation were substantially better than those in NaCl solution, KCl solution, or TYB for 2 weeks.
Kanno
H
H
Department of Urology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Saito
K
K
Ogawa
T
T
Takeda
M
M
Iwasaki
A
A
Kinoshita
Y
Y
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000494:pharmacology; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012662:Semen Preservation; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D004573:Electrolytes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS)